tunnel vision

American  

[tuhn-l vizh-uhn] / ˈtʌn l ˈvɪʒ ən /

noun

1. a drastically narrowed field of vision, as in looking through a tube, symptomatic of retinitis pigmentosa.

2. the tendency to look at things from only one point of view; prejudice or narrow-mindedness.

   All empires invariably produce a kind of tunnel vision.

3. a fixation on only one objective, course of action, etc..

   These special interest groups operate with defiantly single-minded tunnel vision.

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tunnel vision British  

noun

1. a condition in which peripheral vision is greatly restricted

2. narrowness of viewpoint resulting from concentration on a single idea, opinion, etc, to the exclusion of others

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Usage

What does tunnel vision mean? Literally, tunnel vision is a term meaning that the edges of your vision are lost and only central focus remains, as if you were looking through a tunnel. Figuratively, it is a lack of perspective caused by intense focus on one object, leading to neglect of your surroundings and responsibilities or being closed off to other viewpoints. How do you pronounce tunnel vision?[ tuhn-l vizh-uhn ]

Other Word Forms

• tunnel-visioned adjective

Etymology

Origin of tunnel vision

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

One theory was that Ford suffered from tunnel vision.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

But you can go further, by getting AI to point out the patterns that lead to tunnel vision.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 21, 2026

All of the attention, including Marty’s, is on Kay, and when Marty Mauser sets his sights on something, he sees in tunnel vision.

From Salon • Dec. 25, 2025

Admitting she's had "tunnel vision" about the set, fans in the New Music Tent were cheering her on with every song.

From BBC • May 25, 2025

Carine’s eyes blurred, and she felt the onset of tunnel vision.

From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer

Related Words

• narrow-mindedness